The early-stage study, based on results from mice bred to be prone to premature birth, was published online in JCI: The Journal of Clinical Investigation

The mice treated with metformin went on to have full term births, the findings showed

Metformin appears to be a potentially safer alternative that works along the same molecular pathway, Dey said

A drug used by millions of people as the frontline treatment for Type-2 diabetes, may also play an unexpected role in blocking a significant cause of preterm birth, say researchers including one of Indian-origin.

“It also demonstrates possible remedies that are already approved for human use,” Dey noted. The early-stage study, based on results from mice bred to be prone to premature birth, was published online in JCI: The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

The study is important for two reasons, according to the researchers. First, it details a little understood molecular pathway that can lead to premature birth by disrupting the function of the decidua – a thick membrane that lines the uterus and supports the continued growth of developing foetuses.

Mice treated with Metformin. Image Source: www.medpagetoday.com

Second, the researchers demonstrated – in mice — two successful methods for restoring the lining’s function and achieving healthy, full term births. The study involved analysing mice bred to have a condition known to make pregnancies more likely to end in premature birth.

The mice treated with metformin went on to have full term births, the findings showed.

The team also reported similar – but less effective – results when treating mice with resveratrol, an anti-oxidant and anti-aging dietary supplement made from grape seed extract.

In previous studies, Dey and colleagues discovered that rapamycin, an immune suppressing agent, showed promise in mice at preventing preterm birth. However, that medication may be risky for use in pregnant women.

Metformin appears to be a potentially safer alternative that works along the same molecular pathway, Dey said. Preterm birth can be caused by many factors. It remains unclear how many preterm births are triggered by early decidual ageing, but Dey said it could be a significant number.

Metformin. Image Source: www.canadianpharmacy365.net

The process of preparing and conducting human clinical trials to further test the medications could take several years. (IANS)

In June of 2015， it was discovered that I had type 2 diabetes， By the end of the month, I was given a prescription for Metformin， I stated the ADA diet and followed it completely for several weeks but was unable to get my blood sugar below 140， With no results to how for my hard work, I panicked and called my doctor，His response? Deal with it. I began to feel that something wasn’t right and do my own research. Then I found Rachel’s blog (google ” HOW I FREED MYSELF FROM THE DIABETES ” ) ，I read it from cover to cover and I started the diet and by the next morning, my blood sugar was 100， Since then, I have a fasting reading between the mid 70s and 80s. My doctor was so surprised at the results that，the next week, he took me off the Metformin，I lost 30 pounds in the first month and lost more than 6 inches off my waist and I’m able to work out twice a day while still having lots of energy， The truth i.e can get off the drugs and help myself by trying natural methods。

In June of 2015， it was discovered that I had type 2 diabetes， By the end of the month, I was given a prescription for Metformin， I stated the ADA diet and followed it completely for several weeks but was unable to get my blood sugar below 140， With no results to how for my hard work, I panicked and called my doctor，His response? Deal with it. I began to feel that something wasn’t right and do my own research. Then I found Rachel’s blog (google ” HOW I FREED MYSELF FROM THE DIABETES ” ) ，I read it from cover to cover and I started the diet and by the next morning, my blood sugar was 100， Since then, I have a fasting reading between the mid 70s and 80s. My doctor was so surprised at the results that，the next week, he took me off the Metformin，I lost 30 pounds in the first month and lost more than 6 inches off my waist and I’m able to work out twice a day while still having lots of energy， The truth i.e can get off the drugs and help myself by trying natural methods。

Fifty-eight percent of deaths among people with type 2 diabetes are due to cardiovascular events, a leading Mexican expert has said.

“Patients who live with this disease have a greater risk of premature death or disability derived from cardiovascular events,” Hector Sanchez Mijangos, President of the Mexican Diabetes Federation, told Efe news.

The specialist said that the high glucose levels associated with diabetes damage blood vessels, resulting in problems with blood pressure and vision, joint pain and other maladies.

Data from the World Health Organization indicate that more 442 million people suffer from type 2 diabetes.

Mexico’s Health Secretariat has found that while roughly 13 million inhabitants of the Aztec nation are living with diabetes, only half of those afflicted know they have the disease.

In 2015 alone, according to Mijangos, there were more than 98,000 premature deaths in Mexico related to diabetes and the average age of those who died was 66.7 years old.

Representational image. Pixabay

“This is regrettable, because these people could have lived roughly another 15 years,” he said.

According to the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey, only 25 percent of Mexicans suffering with diabetes are managing their condition adequately.

To improve treatment options, Mexican health authorities in January issued an approval for the use of canagliflozin, a drug that helps reduce the amount of blood glucose reabsorbed by the kidneys, which in turns causes more glucose to be eliminated through urination.

“With this medicine, a person can lose 100 milligrams of glucose per day as well as about 400 kilocalories (4,000 calories) a day, which also helps with weight loss,” Mijangos said.

The medicine likewise helps lower the amount of sodium in the body and reduce triglyceride levels and blood pressure.

A scientific trial involving more than 10,000 patients worldwide showed that when combined with conventional treatment, canagliflozin can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events by up to 18 percent. (IANS)